Sunday afternoon my garrison was invited to a village theme festival for space-related things. Great location, hot weather (not so great) and the people were super nice. For my first time trooping I had a blast: overall, I didn't complain too much about the heat, there was always a little breeze and shade.
My suit held up quite nicely except for a couple of things:
- my thermal detonator popping off when I joined my hands around my back, I quickly learned not to do that or, to do that a little higher from now on;
- the cummerbund pouches were sagging dangerously on either side and I had to keep an eye out for friction hazard on them. Since I was keeping my speaker, phone, mints, tissues in those the weight was probably an issue;
- my boots, while I had spent much time and effort into them, didn't really look healthy from the start. "Neopren" glue doesn't agree with heat and had I not sewn the pieces together they would have all fallen apart.
Bootfail :(
So for the French edition of Comic Con next week I will need to clean the crap out of them, reattach the lining strip with whatever works and fix the pouches too. I'm thinking pressure buttons that I have no idea how to set up.
But here are the upsides that I had not expected!
- There is plenty of ventilation in the helmet; the only times I was hot was when facing the sunlight, with no wind coming my way.
- Under Armour undergarments work! I have the t-shirt, and boxers which kept my suit from clinging to sweaty skin. Wearing tight polyamid/spandex gear under cotton clothing will favor air circulation and keep you from retaining moist! Knowing is also half the battle... against heatstroke.
- The SC breastplate provides lots of room, I could even add a black "necklace" pouch to stow my ID and money.
- Sucking on minty cough drops prevents from stinking up the bucket with stale mouth smells. Also from vomiting and coughing or sneezing. It also keeps the visor from fogging up. Now I know this from experience!
Until next time, pictures are under way.
